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November 28, 2009

They have eyes but they do not see: John 7-9

My daughter told me of a dream she had the other night, while we walked to the store yesterday:

She was in a temple and someone was trying to get her to leave and come to their church activities. We believe in God" he said, and promised fun and games. She said no, because she could SEE that this man was not who he claimed to be. The man approached her again in disguise, but she could SEE through it, Again he used the same line, "we believe in God." This time she put up her hand to stop him and "no! Get away from me." I told her it was an interesting dream, not wanting to make more or less of it than necessary. Then she went back to kicking leaves at her brother.

Today's reading in John caught my attention as each passage was woven together by the same theme- they had eyes but could not see.

How often do we find ourselves stumbling over truth that is right in our faces? It resonates deep in our inner beings, but fear, uncertainty, doubt, and pride, takes the throne of our hearts, decreeing truth to be foolishness or something good but unnecessary.

The Jews saw with their own eyes, marveling at the words that came from the mouth of Christ, yet everything he said caused them to stumble. Just as Peter stated in 1 Peter 2:7, the same rock is precious to one, but to the one who does not believe it is a stumbling block and a rock of offense.

I think it is easier to take God at his Word rather than "striving about words to no profit" ( 2 Timothy 2:14), as the brothers of Christ did in John 7.

When God is in our faces, will we recognize him for who he is?

Lord, who is the way, the truth, and the life, we lift our hearts to you. We stand in need of you, in this very hour, because there is a war going on within each of us. You warned us that there will be many voices, claiming that the Lord is here and there. You told us through your apostles that the spirit of the Antichrist is already in the world, trying to separate us from your solid unchanging truth. Just as you prayed for Peter, I pray that our faith does not fail because Satan is trying to sift us as wheat. We do not want to be a part of the great falling away, rather, we want to be a part of masses running toward you, pressing to you to touch you. We want to be the sheep who hear and know your voice. Open the eyes of our heart, Lord. We want to see you. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Welcome!

In the beginning was the Word.

This same Word still exists and is relevant to our lives today. Whether you are a historian, a lover of the poetic arts, one who is inclined to drama or action, or one to be inspired, the Holy Bible speaks to all of mankind. It meets us all where we are - no matter where that place may be.

So, let this be an invitation to you to start on a journey that never ends and that will never disappoint. Dive right in with today's passage . We look forward to sharing our thoughts and reading yours!